Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow + Giveaway

Charlotte Davis is in pieces. At seventeen she’s already lost more than most people lose in a lifetime. But she’s learned how to forget. The thick glass of a mason jar cuts deep, and the pain washes away the sorrow until there is nothing but calm. You don’t have to think about your father and the river. Your best friend, who is gone forever. Or your mother, who has nothing left to give you.

Every new scar hardens Charlie’s heart just a little more, yet it still hurts so much. It hurts enough to not care anymore, which is sometimes what has to happen before you can find your way back from the edge.

~Review~

I’ll start by saying that this book may be a trigger for some readers. There’s no shortage of issues in this book, so read at your own risk. It’s dark and gritty, and not what I thought going into it.

It took me roughly 2 days to get through Girl In Pieces. It’s a very heavily issued story; ranging from self harm, abuse, eating disorders, rape, etc… Our main character Charlie, along with side characters, are living in hell. There’s no other way to describe it. Life is tough, but this just felt like too much for anyone to go through. Yet, this is happening all over the world. I love that the author doesn’t gloss over the UGLY. There’s plenty of it to go around.

Charlie’s stream of consciousness is very sad. We get lucid thoughts and actions from her, but her fragmented thoughts also drove the story forward. Those chapters are short, which made the story progress even faster; even though you want to savor every little detail. My favorite parts in the beginning are her interactions with the other girls in the psych hospital. There’s her roommate Louisa, whom is also a cutter. Then there’s Blue, who has quite a mouth on her. She likes to antagonize Charlie, to make her talk. Charlie doesn’t talk the first few weeks that she’s there, but when she starts admitting to herself that she wants to get better and try to move on from what put her there, she finally speaks. Her fears and pain were so very real, and the way that the author characterized self harm in this story is really eye-opening. There were moments when I thought that I needed to just put the book down for a moment.

The second half of the story is Charlie trying to put her life back together after she’s discharged. It was very hard. Just when I was thinking that life for Charlie was going to be all rainbows and sunshine, here comes an asshole. More than that, though, is Charlie’s craving for normal. She wants her life back the way it was before her dad died. She misses her best friend, Ellis’, touch. She wants Mikey to love her like he loves Ellis. It was just all written so boldly, and I admire the author for that.

I highly recommend this book. It’s not just about cutting. Please don’t think that it’s all about cutting.

~Giveaway~

I ended up with 2 ARCs of Girl In Pieces, so I feel it is my duty to share this story with one of you lucky readers. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form. This giveaway is US only. Sorry INT readers. I will have a giveaway for you guys soon.

must be a US resident

must be 13 years or older

winner will have 48 hrs. to reply to my email, or another winner will be chosen

Lovely review, Lekeisha! This book sounds right up my alley. I love books about mental health, especially if they’re dark and emotional. I was a bit hesitant about reading this but I think you’ve convinced me!

I want to read this book even though it will be emotionally difficult for me, but I don’t know much about the minds and thoughts of people with mental issues such as self-harm. This book has come highly recommended as a “safe” place for me to start learning.

The more and more I hear about this book, the more and more I am unsure if I have mentally prepared enough for it. It seems like the kind of book which does not jump over the nitty and gritty and tells Charlie’s story just as it is. I know I am going to have to be in the right mindset to be reading all of the ugly the author so well portrays. Thanks for this review – I am glad you could appreciate this book so much.

I want to read this one and not at the same time. I like that it deals with heavy stuff, and is gritty. I am not sure the stream of consciousness would be to my liking, however. Still, I do think you have me curious enough to check out this author!

This one seems like a heavy one! But in a good way, I’m sure. I don’t do well with YA contemporary novels dealing with tough issues like mental health, but it’s great that there is this huge surge in the type. I’m really glad you enjoyed it, Lekeisha!

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I love to read, drink coffee, eat pickles and I'm determined to watch every movie that was made before 1981. I'm sort of an introvert, and I stay to myself. People in this world are cruel, so I'll just let them have it. I prefer fictional worlds and it's inhabitants!! Catch me watching Game of Thrones!

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